You can add additional coverage, which is offered by Blue Cross, to help pay for
costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover
Learn how to cover what Original Medicare doesn't
Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C, include both medical (Part A and Part B) and most include a prescription drug coverage (Part D). Medicare Advantage plans also include extras that often aren’t available with other types of Medicare plans.
Enrolling in Medicare
Learn about Medicare eligibility requirements and how to enroll in Medicare.
Medicare Part C: Medicare Advantage plans
| How it works | What it helps cover | What you pay | Available in these counties |
Medicare Advantage plans combine Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, so your hospital and medical coverage are provided under one plan. To enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must be eligible for Medicare Part A and enrolled in Part B. Medicare Advantage plans are usually one of the following:
| You get all the benefits of Original Medicare plus “extras” Medicare does not cover. Plans may offer benefits for:
|
| Anoka • Becker • Beltrami • Benton • Big Stone • Blue Earth • Brown • Carver • Cass • Chippewa • Chisago • Clay • Clearwater • Cottonwood • Crow Wing • Dakota • Dodge • Douglas • Faribault • Fillmore • Freeborn • Grant • Hennepin • Houston • Hubbard • Isanti • Jackson • Kandiyohi • Kittson • Lac qui Parle • Lake of the Woods • Lincoln • Lyon • Mahnomen • Marshall • Martin • Morrison • Mower • Murray • Nicollet • Nobles • Norman • Olmsted • Otter Tail • Pennington • Polk • Pope • Ramsey • Red Lake • Redwood • Renville • Roseau • Scott • Sherburne • Stearns • Steele • Swift • Todd • Wabasha • Wadena • Waseca • Washington • Watonwan • Wilkin • Winona • Wright Note: Medicare Cost plans are not offered in these counties |
What you should know
- PPOs offer more flexibility and choice by offering a broad network of providers, and you don’t need referrals to see specialists in the network
- Benefits and provider networks differ from plan to plan because coverage is offered by private health insurance companies
- You can travel for up to twelve months in the United States and receive in-network coverage for medically necessary services from any provider that accepts Medicare assignment
Medicare Cost plans
| How it works | What it helps cover | What you pay | Available in these counties |
| Medicare Cost plans provide additional coverage to help pay for expenses Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Some Cost plans also offer optional Part D prescription drug coverage. To be eligible for a Cost plan, you must be eligible for Medicare Part A and enrolled in Part B. |
| Costs vary depending on the plan you choose. You must continue to pay your Part B premium, along with monthly Medicare Cost plan premiums, copays and coinsurance. | Aitkin • Carlton • Cook • Goodhue • Itasca • Kanabec • Koochiching • Lake • Le Sueur • McLeod • Meeker • Mille Lacs • Pine • Pipestone • Rice • Rock • Sibley • St. Louis • Stevens • Traverse • Yellow Medicine Note: Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are not offered in these counties |
What you should know
- Typically, you can see any in-network provider without a referral. If you choose an out-of-network provider, you may only receive Original Medicare coverage for those services.
- You can travel for up to nine months in the United States and receive in-network coverage for medically necessary services from any provider that accepts Medicare assignment
- Costs incurred under the travel benefit apply toward your out-of-pocket maximum
Medicare doesn't have to be hard
Our Blue Cross Advisors are here to:
- Help you learn about Medicare basics and our plans
- Assist you in finding a plan that meets your needs
- Help you enroll in a plan
Get your free Medicare Step-by-Step Guide
Learn the essentials of Medicare
Use this guide to make understanding Medicare easier. It covers the essentials you'll need to know, like the four parts of Medicare, when to enroll and how to avoid penalties.
Register for a Medicare Workshop
Learn about Original Medicare and available plans based on the county you live in
at a free, no obligation, in-person or virtual workshop.